Florence Olive Wilkerson was born the daughter of Clark Edward Casey and Azalea (Baker) Casey on September 21, 1921 in Riverton, Missouri and departed this life January 29, 2013 in West Plains, Missouri at the age of 91 years.
She was united in marriage on October 18, 1941 at Alton, Missouri to George Phillip Wilkerson, who preceded her in death on February 13, 2010.
She is survived by one sister, Catherine Warren of West Plains, Missouri and one brother, John Lewis Casey and wife, Emma Lou, of Alton, Missouri; several nieces, nephews and many friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; two sons, Noel Wilkerson and George Olen Wilkerson; three sisters, Blanch Crawford, Marie White, and Edna Edwards, and one brother, Clark Edward Casey, Jr.
Florence attended the one room elementary school at Riverton, Missouri with her siblings. She never attended high school, but passed the GED test to complete her education.
She became a housekeeper at the age of 16 for different families in the Riverton and Alton communities, earning 50 cents a day per household.
Florence was 18 years old when she and Phillip Wilkerson met for the first time at a local Pie Supper. After dating a few months, they married and lived and worked together on their livestock farm in the Myrtle area for many years. Their bond with each other became even stronger after the death of their son, Noel Casey Wilkerson on May 22, 1973 at the young age of 24.
She was a faithful and active member of the First Baptist Church in Myrtle, as long as health permitted.
Florence will be remembered as a dedicated homemaker, an excellent cook, and a well known and respected lady by her family, friends and the community in which he lived.
She will truly be missed by all who knew and loved her.
Funeral Services will be Saturday, February 2, 2013 at 2:00 PM in the Carter Funeral Home Chapel at Thayer, Missouri with Brother Edward Casey officiating.
The family will receive friends at the Funeral Home from 1:00 PM until the time of the service.
Her body will lie in state at the Funeral Home, Friday, February 1st from 8:00 AM until 8:00 PM.
Burial will be in the Walnut Grove Cemetery near Myrtle, Missouri with services under the direction of Carter Funeral Home, Inc. in Thayer.
January 31, 2013 @ 11:30 am
A little story: Some 30 years ago I recieved a Mossberg 20g for CHRISTmas and my dad and I went to Aunt Florence and Uncle Phillips farm to visit and do a little fishing at some of the finest stocked ponds in the county. Now the farm lay east of the Metroplex of Myrtle and I have fond memories of those adventures there. While dad and I were fishing I thought that I would take the new shot gun for a test run aound the fence rows. Maybe a rabbit or a squirrel would be the first major game taken by this young shaver. Well, I told dad where I was headed and he told me to be careful. I went treking about and I no sooner left eye sight of dad when about 18 wild turkeys looked up over the fescue. First instinct. SHOOT! Well, I got one. A fine wild turkey! I was proud. Dad was shocked! We headed back to Aunt Florence and Uncle Phillips house, and Aunt Florence seen us coming and went to the back porch. Now a truck load of TNT could go off there and no one would hear it. So Aunt Florence said in very low whisper said to me, “Did you get a turkey”. I figured she whispered so as not to alert any of the game officials that frequented the area about once every 300 years or so. This is just one of my many memories! I know she would like this story. Love Michael
January 31, 2013 @ 10:17 pm
She was truly a lovely lady. A very special one. She & Mr Phillip are together once more.
February 1, 2013 @ 11:24 pm
We are sorry to hear of the passing of Florence. We will be thinking of you in this time of sorrow.